LA Clippers Sold To Former Microsoft CEO Ballmer

Steve Ballmer is the new owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, the NBA franchise said Tuesday.

Justin Sullivan
/ Getty Images

Originally published on August 12, 2014 1:56 pm

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is the new owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. A press release from the NBA says a California court has confirmed the authority of Shelly Sterling to sell the team.

Shelly Sterling had arranged to sell the franchise to Ballmer in May for $2 billion, but her husband, Donald Sterling, sued to block the deal.

In a statement from the team, Ballmer said he was "humbled and honored to be the new owner of the Los Angeles Clippers." He added, "I will be hard core in giving the team, our great coach, staff and players the support they need to do their best work on the court. And we will do whatever necessary to provide our fans and their families with the best game-night experience in the NBA."

As we've reported:

"Donald Sterling touched off a media firestorm in April when a recording surfaced of him making racist remarks. Last week at the trial, the Clippers interim CEO testified that Doc Rivers, the team coach and president, had said repeatedly he will most likely quit if Sterling retains ownership."